Sunday, July 26, 2015

Sometimes when wanderlust hits us and we don't know exactly where we're going, we can just keep driving until we find our undetermined destination. Sometimes, we do have our planned destination but can't find our way there, and if we get lost and need to change our course, it's good to take the scenic route and enjoy getting lost for a while until we finally locate our desired place.

We didn't get lost en route from Oslo to Sweden but didn't know either where to stop and spend a day or two before finally going home, which was still a long way off. And so we just kept driving and luxuriating in the loveliness of the passing sceneries. Sometimes we pulled over to photograph an object of interest, sometimes I'd just shoot from our speeding car.

Our road trip took a pause when we found a camping site to rest for the night. The story can be read HERE.

After two days, we were on the road again, with a camping site in Frösön, a popular island in Östersund, in mind. When we got there, the whole spacious area was full of campers! It was too crowded for serenity-seekers like us. So we just looked around for some minutes before moving on.

We left the place and kept driving again, this time without a target destination. If we could see a snug camping place along the way, then we would stop by for a night.

Soon we realized that we were already nearing home. The night had set in and our exhausted bodies needed rest. Should we stay in the last camping site before home? We opted to head home instead and rest within the comfort of our own abode. After all, the best destination is HOME.

As has been said over and over again, life is a journey. But of course, it's a journey with a certain destination. Along the way, we run into twists and turns, thorny weeds, stormy weather, etc. However, no matter how long and difficult our "road trip" is, we can enjoy our journey by stopping by to see and reflect on the good things that we received from our loving Creator and his unshakable promises of blessings to those who put faith in him. We can also enjoy navigating our way through life by following his clear direction.

"Your WORD is a lamp to my foot and a light to my roadway."

- Psalm 119:105

Surely, we have a wonderful destination to which we can fix our mind and for which we should exert efforts to reach.

"Therefore, we do not give up, but even if the man we are outside is wasting away, certainly the man we are inside is being renewed from day to day. For though the tribulation is momentary and light, it works out for us a glory that is of more and more surpassing greatness and is everlasting; while we keep our eyes, not on the things seen, but on the things unseen. For the things seen are temporary, but the things unseen are everlasting."

- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Can you imagine the things unseen, the wonderful destiny that's waving at us? I can see myself living eternally in a magnificent new world where suffering and death do not exist and where all the good desires of my heart have come to realization.

I know I can get there. But while I'm on my journey, I'll focus on the good things and let them conquer the evils. For then, I can truly take pleasure in this journey.

Saturday, July 18, 2015

The day after our convention, we were supposed to visit the mountains and fjords of Norway for the second time around, but something went wrong with our car, making us unsafe to travel there. What if our car would suddenly break down and we'd get stuck in the middle of nowhere?

So we changed plans. We decided to travel back home gradually within the safety of our homeland. We took the roads through the western provinces close to the Norwegian border. We would also like to see the "fjällen", or mountains, on this side of the country.

From Oslo, we rolled back to Dalarna, then up north to Härjedal, a place we haven't seen before. We found a camping place in Hede, called Sonfjällscampen, which gave us a cozy feeling at first sight. It's not as spacious as the others we've been to before but it's homely, and the surrounding views are breathtaking. We hired a cabin for one night only which we later extended for another night after finding out that the place offered a wealth of natural attractions for nature-lovers and hikers alike.

The camping alone is paradisaic what with all the lakes, a snow-capped mountain rising above the trees, lovely cabins, jetties and a diving board, and rustic surroundings. It turned out that this camping is one of the best we've ever stayed while on a journey because each cabin is equipped with everything one needs, and the service buildings (toilets, bathrooms and washroom) are well-provided too. The price is quite affordable.

Among the marvels of this province are the several massive waterfalls. We were able to visit only one of these, which is just the lower part of a series of falls. It's called Rändåfallet in Långå. Had we hiked higher, we could have seen the much bigger and higher falls including a huge single plunge. But hubby's health stymied us from trekking uphill. We could go back someday.

We also traveled toward an unplanned destination, just driving until we reached the locality of Funäsdalen, where I wowed the moment I caught sight of the rolling snowy mountains right ahead of us.

Another "wow!" when I saw this mountain with a house on its summit with cable cars gliding to and fro. I was mentally uttering a wish for a ride when hubby asked me if I wanted to go up there. What could be better than that?

My wildest "wow!" exploded when we reached the top and my eyes swept over the scences below. I couldn't contain my excitement at viewing the amazing panorama from this vantage point.

We sat there for a time along with others, sipping coffee or hot chocolate while savoring the scenes below.

Rejuvenated by these awe-inspiring sights, we proceeded to the Sonfjällets National Park which is right beside our camping. But we didn't venture to climb the mountain despite the promises of amazing views from up there for the same reason that we couldn't ascend the free-fall waterfalls. At least we know what treasures are hidden there, and someday we would seek them out.

Back to the camping, we grilled along the pond close to our cabin and enjoyed our dinner in a pastoral setting on that tranquil night.

And then hubby tried to fish. Maybe there was no fish that time because as the saying goes, "If one can't catch a fish, then there's no fish at all." But it's wonderful just being there on a jetty or in a boat casting the fishing line. It gives a satisfying feeling of being at one with nature. Hubby was not alone, others were fishing from a boat.

That night, I took one last batch of sky and water photos. The pictures tell the story about the beauty and serenity of that night.

I said goodbye to this unforgettable camping site by taking this one last pic.